13. Crocodile Hunter - Collision Course: This film came out of nowhere, succeeding in both its simplicity and its originality of plot. Based on the real life nature team of Steve and Terri Irwin, this movie plays out exactly like the tv-show, taking its characters on an adventure that ends up being wildly believable and a lot of fun at the same time. The charisma of Steve Irwin is infectious, making Crocodile Hunter worth watching. Grade: B+
12. We Were Soldiers</a>: Aside from the heavy-handed American patriotic undertones of the home front as presented in this film, We Were Soldiers does succeed in painting an interesting look into the intricate ferocious process of war and battle. The film is based on real events with Mel Gibson as military strategist and commander Hal Moore, whose instincts give him a unique insight into the heart and mind of his enemies on the battlefield. Grade: B+
11. 8-Mile: In a kind of anti-poetry-slam of hip hop darkness atmosphere, Eminem manages to turn in a surprisingly restrained and textured performance as a youth who is the victim of circumstance - caught in the annals of poverty and just struggling to break free. And although the movie does parallel Eminem’s own life and the music he writes, it never delivers the kind of lividly strong social commentary or satire that one might expect, instead opting for a more restrained and mainstream accessible approach. Grade: A-
10. Bowling for Columbine: Filmmakers like Michael Moore are so important for our North American culture. With an ease of wit and sly intelligent sarcasm, Moore brilliantly presents an issue that has no easy answer - guns associated with violence in America. It’s an important film to watch, and one that should be discussed and thought about - one of the year’s best. Grade: A-
9. One Hour Photo: This year marked a dark turn for Robin Williams, who, in a trilogy of terror, starred in Death to Smoochy, Insomnia and One Hour Photo. All three films are a treat to watch, but One Hour Photo manages to go a step ahead of the other two, presenting us with a stunning character portrait that’s all too reminiscent of Norman Bates in Psycho, but doesn’t veer as far into the violence that lays so dangerously below stark surfaces, instead exploring how isolation can lead to redemption. Grade: A-
8. Punch Drunk Love: Paul Thomas Anderson is a wild animal. Adaptation came close to being on this list in this spot, but ultimately fails to hold together as strongly as Punch Drunk so easily does. In the end, Punch Drunk Love is wildly different, strange, touching and unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen before, but it is worth seeing because of its bright, bold strokes of pure storytelling genius. Grade: A-
7. Gangs of New York: I’ve always loved New York City and its vast and colorful history. I’ve watched New York: A Documentary Film, by documentary filmmaker Ric Burns, a sweeping 10 hour + portrayal of New York a number of times, and Scorsesse’s Gangs recaptures the strange ferocity and violence of that time perfectly. Like the great American literary works of Cather and Faulkner, Gangs of New York captures the utterly horrific feeling of the immigrant experience as seen in young America like no other film before it. Grade: A-
6. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Peter Jackson has scored again, bringing audiences with a very enjoyable film that is filled with depth and many interesting themes such as the aspects of trust and friendship. And unlike The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers doesn’t have to waste time with exposition, rather it can deftly jump straight into the action and the main thrust of the story - the continuation of the fight between good and evil. Grade: A
5. Chicago: This is one of the best musicals of all time, easily standing alongside Singing in the Rain, West Side Story and Cabaret. Based on the 1970s Broadway musical of the same name, Chicago provides an interesting commentary into the mix between media, sensation, glamour and murder. This stunning film feeds off of a pure sexual energy of music, dance and jazz - serving as a monument of sorts to the basic underpinnings of the women’s movement that began to grow in the early 20th Century. Grade: A
4. Talk to Her: A strangely profound and captivating piece that winds its way through feelings about life, love and loneliness between people and the world around them. Director Pedro Almodovar is quickly becoming one of my favorite Spanish directors, having previously directed the brilliantly simple and stunning films All About My Mother and Live Flesh. What makes these films so amazing is thier ability to reach down deep into the hearts and minds of their audiences. Grade: A+
3. Rabbit-Proof Fence: The brilliance of Rabbit-Proof Fence lies in its stark and sparse visualization of an amazingly true story that reveals in a lot of misunderstandings that are ultimately mixed with a good dose of determination, heart, courage and hope. Set in 1930s Australia, Rabbit-Proof Fence explores the true story of of a group of aboriginal Australian children who were taken from their families and placed in state run schools. Eventually, three girls escape and Rabbit Proof Fence explores their journey. Director Phillip Noyce does a wonderful job bringing this harrowing story to the screen, and the true amazement of this film lies with the three young actresses who star in this film. For its true story and it’s raw emotion, Rabbit-Proof Fence is worth checking out. Grade: A+
2. About Schmidt: In what has to be Jack Nicholson’s most powerful acting job yet, About Schmidt portrays life after retirement for average ordinary American, Warren Schmidt. The real poignancy of this movie comes however from its ability to be both hilariously funny and touchingly dramatic at the same time as well. Kathy Bates also turns in one of her most colorful performances in awhile, and overall the film is a wonderful insight into how we see the world, making About Schmidt one of the year’s best movies. Grade: A+
1. E.T. (20th Anniversary Edition): Ok, I know this film was technically, really made in 1982, but Spielberg did an absolutely wonderful job in reworking certain scenes of this film, adding a lot of depth and movement to our loveable alien. Unlike the reworking and addition of FX to Lucas’s Star Wars, the FX here work fine and aren’t overdone. E.T. still has the power to spark the imagination and bring its audience through a roller coaster of emotion - from fear to laughter to tears. For its sheer simplicity in storytelling, E.T. is timeless. Grade: A+
(c) January 12, 2003, Steven H. Lee